The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville announces a partnership with Belmont University beginning January 2013. The partnership will advance the educational and charitable purposes of both organizations by leveraging and uniting their unique resources along with the arts and business communities to create a thriving, sustainable creative culture in Nashville.

“The partnership with Belmont University will be a springboard for organizational growth and innovation in our work to make Nashville a place where the creative culture thrives,” said Casey Summar, executive director of the Arts & Business Council. “We are thrilled to find alignment with Belmont’s priorities and become a nonprofit in residence on campus.”

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Partnering with the Arts & Business Council makes perfect sense in light of Belmont’s vision for increased engagement with and service to the Nashville community. In addition, this partnership allows our students more opportunities for experiential education in a number of areas that represent popular fields of study, including music business, the performing arts, business and law.”

The Arts & Business Council will continue to provide highly impactful programs and services to the arts community including Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts, Arts Board Matching, and a year-long calendar of professional developmental seminars. Through the partnership with Belmont, the Arts & Business Council will restructure to reach a more sustainable budget size and focus on responding to the enormous need and potential in Nashville’s arts community. The organization will be staffed by Casey Summar and Jackie Johnson.

As part of the new partnership, the Arts & Business Council will reside on the Belmont University campus beginning January 1, 2013. Additionally, the Arts & Business Council will collaborate with campus leadership in Belmont’s College of Law, College of Business Administration, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

About the Arts & Business CouncilThe Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville drives collaboration between the arts and business to foster Nashville’s cultural and economic vitality. Ongoing programs to help the arts community master the business of art include developmental seminars, Arts Board Matching, and a range of legal and professional services provided by the Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts. For more information, contact the Arts & Business Council at (615) 942-8866 or visit www.ABCnashville.org.

About Belmont University

Ranked No. 5 in the Regional Universities South category and named for the seventh consecutive year as one of the top “Up-and-Comer” universities by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University consists of approximately 7,300 students who come from every state and more than 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs, With more than 80 areas of undergraduate study, 22 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon.